Suggestions for decent video editing software?

[Paul]

Greg,
What file type did you use for your import? Did you import directly from the camera, or was it a file you already had imported?

I ask because I am using DVD as my capture medium, from a DVD camcorder. The files written on the DVD are .VOB. I use Super c (which I'm beginning to hate) to convert the .VOB files. I've tried converting to .avi which worked great until I tried to save the finished product. It wouldn't save, no matter what I did. Then I tried converting to .WMV figuring this was WMM's native format. Super c did a real crappy job, and didn't convert the whole file, but the segments that it did worked well. I also tried MP4, but apparently WMM has issues with mpeg formats. Go figure....

 

[Greg]

Greg,
What file type did you use for your import? Did you import directly from the camera, or was it a file you already had imported?

I ask because I am using DVD as my capture medium, from a DVD camcorder. The files written on the DVD are .VOB. I use Super c (which I'm beginning to hate) to convert the .VOB files. I've tried converting to .avi which worked great until I tried to save the finished product. It wouldn't save, no matter what I did. Then I tried converting to .WMV figuring this was WMM's native format. Super c did a real crappy job, and didn't convert the whole file, but the segments that it did worked well. I also tried MP4, but apparently WMM has issues with mpeg formats. Go figure....

I believe for my footage, I used the file directly from the camera which is an AVI. I know for Brian's MOV files, I had to convert them to AVI first. I used a demo version of Blaze Media Pro for that. How about trying plugging in the video camera to the computer (FireWire, I'd imagine) and simply use the "Capture from video device" link? If that doesn't work, I think you'll need to find a converter that works better...

 

[Paul]

I believe for my footage, I used the file directly from the camera which is an AVI. I know for Brian's MOV files, I had to convert them to AVI first. I used a demo version of Blaze Media Pro for that. How about trying plugging in the video camera to the computer (FireWire, I'd imagine) and simply use the "Capture from video device" link? If that doesn't work, I think you'll need to find a converter that works better...

Yeah, that pretty much confirms what I was thinking. Thanks for the Blaze info. I'm going to try a few other tricks in the ol' sleeve before adding yet more software. ;-) I also just realized I have DivX converter from some long-ago download, may try that. Yup, its a firewire cxn, and that is also on the dockett. Haven't done that because for some inexplicable reason I can only find my firewire to USB cable, and not the straight firewire cable. And I'm just too damn lazy (and cheap) to go out and get one. :lol:

Thanks for the help.

 

[hammer]

I have a few "basic" questions:

• What are the differences between AVI and MPEG?
• Do most of the free packages out there convert AVI to MPEG?
• Are there any good links to sites that explain all of this?

I'm curious because I sometimes shoot short videos on my Canon S2 and they are saved to huge AVI files.

 

[Greg]

I'm new at this vid stuff and my knowledge is limited to the built-in Windows XP Movie Maker (which is pretty powerful for a free option, IMHO), but here goes:

What are the differences between AVI and MPEG?

AVI is a higher resolution format. You can easily convert to MPG for distribution on the Web. I simply leave mine in WMV format.

Do most of the free packages out there convert AVI to MPEG?

Windows Movie Maker can. See above.

Are there any good links to sites that explain all of this?

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx
http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/

 

[YardSaleDad]

AVI is a higher resolution format. You can easily convert to MPG for distribution on the Web. I simply leave mine in WMV format.

Actually it's more confusing than that:

AVI is a container format. Depending on the codec used you get different resolutions and compression schemes. mpeg, Mov, and WMV are all similarly complex with lot's of caveats. For complete confusion check out these as starting points:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_Video_Interleave
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_container_formats
http://www.doom9.org/index.html?/guides.htm

Keep in mind that WMV files only play on windows computers, and MOV requires quicktime to be installed for most files. AVI and Mpeg plays well across most machines and video software.

 

[riverc0il]

Keep in mind that WMV files only play on windows computers, and MOV requires quicktime to be installed for most files. AVI and Mpeg plays well across most machines and video software.

this is why i switched to .rm files instead of .wmv on my latest video. i have always despised quick time and generally will skip any video in MOV format. without special not entirely legal software, i can't even view .wmv on linux. .rm isn't entirely without its fault, but it works on all platforms and is a small file format. i would love to see a really great compression and play quality format that is not proprietary.

 

[eatskisleep]

Sony Vegas 6 is for sale on BH for $99... that deal can't be beat.

 

[YardSaleDad]

.rm isn't entirely without its fault, but it works on all platforms and is a small file format. i would love to see a really great compression and play quality format that is not proprietary.

IMHO real media is as bad, if not worse than WMV since it is a closed format needing a player that borders on spyware. Xvid is an open format that gives you top notch quality without the marketing/compatibility headaches and complete player independence.


http://www.xvid.org/

http://www.xvid.org/FAQ.14.0.html

 

[riverc0il]

i hear you about real media and real player. on my PC, i use real player alternative. it still requires you download RP, but gives you a clean interface. the linux version i have also has a super clean GUI. RM is the lesser of the two evils when compared to microsoft and mac products.

xvid looks interesting but i assume a user would need the xvid player to play that media format? or can the codecs be installed into other players? i suspect most users would not bother downloading a new player just to play a video, nor a codec just to play a video. i certainly won't even considering installing quick time no matter how much i would want to see a vid coded to .mov. considering the widespread success of the mp3 format, it blows my mind that a clear winner for a video format has not surfaced.

 

[YardSaleDad]

xvid looks interesting but i assume a user would need the xvid player to play that media format? or can the codecs be installed into other players?

Read the faq. It's a real live open source Mpeg-4 codec. It works in every player I have ever tried it with. MS does not want you using open source software, so they won't bundle it. The install is simple.

It's also the favorite of pirates everywhere, just like mp3.

 

[riverc0il]

word, i probably should have read more before responding instead of just taking a cursory look and leaving it in a background tab for future reading i'll do some testing and see how it works. funny about MS and open source since they just had some sorta agreement with novell i believe of suse fame.

 

[YardSaleDad]

funny about MS and open source since they just had some sorta agreement with novell i believe of suse fame.

IMHO, their ulterior motive is to divide the open source vendors, and protect their market share. A leopard does not change it's spots.

 

[riverc0il]

agreed, they definitely are up to something.

i just downloaded AutoGK which encodes to Xvid and converted my vid into .avi format. i am impressed, much much better compression than my video editing software was able to do in .avi format. in fact, i was able to get the same exact dimensions as my .rm video (320x240) at a slightly smaller total size. looks like i will be encoding to .avi in the future! i am still concerned about users without xvid compatible players not bothering to download the appropriate codec, we'll see how that plays out when i post the next video.

 

[YardSaleDad]

i am still concerned about users without xvid compatible players not bothering to download the appropriate codec, we'll see how that plays out when i post the next video.

There are some people who refuse to install real player ;-)

Just post a link to the xvid codec next to the video.

 

[bvibert]

There are some people who refuse to install real player ;-)

Just post a link to the xvid codec next to the video.

Of all the available options I prefer not to install real player....

 

[riverc0il]

There are some people who refuse to install real player ;-)

word, i am the same way with quick time. good suggestion on linking to the codec with the vid, i will give it a shot and pending all goes well, i can feel better about not having a proprietary video format which makes me happy.

 

[Paul]

Success at last!

.avi works fine as long as I use the MS-mpeg4-v2 CODEC. I was using the default, which I think is H.323. Yay!

Thanks all, esp Greg and YSD for giving me something ELSE to obsess over.

 

[andyzee]

Yep, no real player here.

 

[YardSaleDad]

Thanks all, esp Greg and YSD for giving me something ELSE to obsess over.

Oh, if you wanted to obsess, you should have said so...

...http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~johnny/steadycam/

http://www.softweigh.com/video/diy.html

or for the truly sick

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzqumbhfxRo